Irish racing previews: Aidan O'Brien, who has already produced a Classic filly this season that made a big impact on the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks betting in runaway Curragh winner Kitty O'Shea, can complete a three-year-old Group Three hat-trick at Leopardstown tomorrow afternoon with Virginia Waters (3:0), Grand Central (4:0) and Almighty (5:0).

With Ladbroke's offering no better than 10 to 1 about Grand Central for the 2,000 Guineas but trading as high as 25 to 1 for the Derby the portents are that Newmarket rather than Epsom may be the preferred field of action for a Sadler's Wells colt whose inherited speed comes from the dam's side, Rebecca Sharp having won the Coronation Stakes over a mile at Royal Ascot. His reputation preceded him when he made his only start last year at Leopardstown. He was the 2 to 5 favourite and won on the bridle from the pace setting Conscript.

In contrast to Grand Central, his stablemate Almighty is a tightening 16 to 1 chance for the Derby with Victor Chandler, and these may be the shortest odds ever quoted for the Derby about a colt whose only success to date was in a Navan maiden. Having his first run over one and a quarter miles makes it plain though that the Epsom Derby is his Classic objective.

Racing exclusively at the Curragh, Virginia Waters won once from four starts in 2004 and while it is notable that she is the stable runner in the Dimitrova 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes she will need to make maximum use of her experience if she is to contain the stylish Cork winner Sweet Treat.

On what we have seen so far Down Mexico Way is one of the least appealing 33 to 1 chances for the English Derby but that is not to say that the Leopardstown Golf Centre Maiden is not within his compass.

Limerick, with a mixed flat and jumping programme, clashes with Leopardstown. Here too Aidan O'Brien should be on the scoreboard as the first run of Bywayofthestars (2:45) was much better than the second. She was only a length off Miss Mambo in a Naas Fillies Listed Race.

Davy Russell, who sprang a 50 to 1 shock on Cregg House in the Topham Chase at Aintree, is guaranteed a good reception on his return to Ireland where Endless Magic (5:15) could be another winner for him.